Ultimate Space Commando (USC) is a turn-based sci-fi tactics game with strategy and role-playing elements, inspired by many "old-school" top-down view classics, featuring a semi-randomized Campaign mode with real multiple ending possibilities, fully interactive random maps, a detailed combat system with 18 distinct weapons and in-depth mechanics, a lot of unique gadgets, customizable squads with craftable goodies and lootable weapon prototypes, TCP/IP-based and hot-seat multiplayer modes, and an alien horde not stopped even by walls to fulfill its terrifying agenda...

USC is a complex game. From training your units with skill points and outfitting your squads with the appropriate weapons, ammo and additional gear to exploring, salvaging resources and fighting the alien horde, everything is in your hands. The game mechanics are easy to learn, but mastering them is a grand journey. USC features seven difficulty levels for custom games and three for the Campaign mode, including Easy for learners or casual players, but beating the highest levels requires both sophisticated tactics and a great deal of planning ahead with resources and synergy between environment, weapons and items.

MAIN FEATURES:

Campaign mode:Follow and control the fate of the crew of U.S.C. Wraith, a recon vessel stranded on an isolated mining planet, facing a rather unpleasant "first contact" scenario with the greatest threat to mankind yet. Unravel the hidden aspects of the story and try to save all your men and/or defeat the aliens while fighting through 30+ semi-randomized missions, gathering resources and item blueprints in an attempt to contact Earth.

Fully interactive, randomized combat environment:All map elements are interactive in some way. Gather ammo, Credits, blueprints or items from crates, loot vending machines for refreshment, struggle to seal blast doors to prevent further alien intrusions, hack locked doors in a mini-game, use flammable objects to burn your enemies, find switches to unlock special areas, move almost any kind of objects to make a barricade, bring down walls for an escape route or to gain an advantage, avoid various hazards, and more... all this on randomly generated maps in three distinct environments!

Detailed combat mechanics and squad management:USC features a unique combat system based on four combat stats (Health, Morale, Action Points and Armor), nine RPG-like attributes (weapon class proficiencies, reaction, electrotechnics, etc.) and various attack properties (e.g. accuracy, impact force, armor penetration, and many more). 18 weapons, more than 30 useful gadgets (medikits, weapon & armor mods, cloaking device, deployable auto-turret, etc.) and even prototype weapons and craftable-only special items are available to choose from as you see fit for your tactics. Your units gain experience in the Campaign mode, but your customized squads can also make progress with their gear even in other game modes!

Various custom game modes:Beside the Campaign, you can also play the "Defend the Base!" mode--where you get to build your very own base, manage your resources and fight multiple waves of aliens--and fully customizable Single Missions, where you can specify the objectives for each team, set map size and other parameters, difficulty, player handicaps, etc.

Multiplayer:You don't have to play alone! You can play with friends either over TCP/IP protocol or in hot-seat mode up to four players! You can create co-op PvE, PvP and even mixed PvPvE games!

Original soundtrack and exceptional sound effects:From composer Dima Arktor and sound designer Eugene Black comes an original sci-fi horror audio experience! 16+16 original music tracks, terrifying ambients and hundreds of completely custom-rendered high quality sound effects make the game complete.

Below you can find the list of the most important changes from Beta 3 (v0.9.5.0) to v1.0.1.1 regarding general gameplay rules, functions and the engine. You might want to read it if you've already played the game.

Please note that this list does not include changes/additions to the Campaign mode, on which we've worked really, really hard. It has a pletora of new or enhanced functions and more than 30 missions with story elements, scripts, project management options, additional lore, etc. Once the game is released, future changes to the v1.0 Campaign will be naturally documented.

USC v0.9.5.0 to v1.0.1.1 CHANGE LOG

RULES

- PvE: marines now have 25+Reaction*0.75 % chance to interrupt an alien's movement with ranged defense fire.
- Even more tools (screwdrivers/wirecutters) can now be acquired in "Planet surface" Single Missions (+25% drop chance).
- There is now a chance to find additional Rubber Duckies on standard (no surface, no mines) Single Mission maps in equipment crates.
- Being tranquilized will now also affect object push/pull actions. It also fixes a rare glitch with -1 APs remaining.
- No Wunderwurmz will now show up if player didn't select the Wunderwurm option in Single Mission mode, irrespective of difficulty level.
- Lockdown delay is now 3 seconds in Circuit Cracking mode. This should be enough for a reaction if one knows what they're doing.
- The chance of continuous/restarting burning of Commandos has been halved (25% now).
- All medikits now put out burning of target unit. Complex medikits now also lower rads by a base rate of 25 (50 with 100% skill).
- You can now use a medikit for non-damaged units in case they have other issues the medikit can help.
- Disassembling blueprints will now always yield extra screws (amount based on proto level).
- Lowered the Credit cost of a few general gadgets.
- No more rad splash to under objects.
- Tweaked Laser scorcher (mainly increased ArP) to be more in line with other weapons of its price range.
- Slightly decreased flare efficiency.
- Turrets will no longer gain extra APs based on critical reaction hit.
- Armor Repairs now also decrease corrosion by 25.
- There is now 1 Nest Guardian in Single Missions on Ultimate difficulty and for each 'deadly' alien player.

ADDED/NEW

- Online in-game news / "Tip of the Day" system (optional). This will also serve as a hub for future weekly/monthly challenges; details later.
- Added the whole new ENVIRONMENTAL AMBIENT system.
- Added all new ALIEN FOOTSTEP sounds!
- Added numeric display of stimulants to ATAC shortcuts if there are more than 3.
- Added Load Campaign dialog as an alternative to standard ID-based resume.
- Added all 16 new portraits & fully re-enabled portrait system and functions.
- Added display resolution auto-detection for first run.
- Added "skip tutorial", "drill mode" and "hardcore" options to Campaign creation.
- Added remastered rank badge images.
- Added new ambient tracks as Main Menu music.
- Added optional friendly health bars.
- Added toggleable squad info overlay.
- Enhanced the Circuit Cracker sound experience.
- Enhanced mouse click handle mechanism: you can hold down button to navigate the minimap, and can pull off the mouse to belay an order.
- Enhanced the accessibility mode (also added a notice).
- Enhanced Main Menu (and team screen) background dynamics: added glowing stars, lightning storms.
- Enhanced IP-address lookup when creating a network game.
- A backup of the last squad is now saved when going back in Single Mission/DTB Squad Assembly.
- Network dialog will now remember last IP, password and player name.
- Selecting a new movement target will now deselect the current item (if any).
- Floating message "Missed!" is now displayed as "Miss!" for a better aesthetics.
- New monster: Nest Guardian. Extreme Armor, knockback, rad attack, lays big eggs, more APs, bleeds rads, unique graphics.
- Turret ID is now shown in inventory (mousehover info).
- Now using custom font files from game directory.

I've just run a test installation and everything seems OK to me (0.9.0.0). Maybe it's the patch, or some temporary glitch (download *DID* slow down for me when I was at 99%, then it suddenly resumed after a while and continued by downloading DirectX). Maybe you should contact Desura support if the problem is persistent.

One last question-if I redeem USC on Desura, will that prevent me from getting a key if/when it is released on Steam (which is really where I would like to own the game)? I will hold off on redeeming the Desura key until you can clarify.

You're free to redeem it on any platform shown. Keys for the different platforms are handled separately. You can get a Desura key now, and later, when USC gets greenlit, you can still get a Steam key, too!

Yes, I'm on integrating the different distribution platforms with redeemable keys. IGS purchases will be redeemable through the IGS interface (I think) almost as soon as USC launches on Desura. If you purchased it on GG, please register at the USC homepage with your serial (if you haven't already), and then contact us at admin@creatio49.com with either your profile e-mail, username or customer ID and I will give you a Desura key manually.